<p>So today they did the callbacks for Applause.i didint get any of the songs i wnated and the same 3 girls called over and over. i got called for like 2 tiny .things while people kept getting called over and ovr some people auditioned for like 10 things and i asked her if i could audition for this one song and she was like you cant riff and cant go that high and she wouldnt even let me try it. I did it at home and know I could have done it. its just i mean i think im good everyone has been saying i could sing since i ws small and i dont go in their o look at me im the best but noone notices its never liek wow shes good its always like o look another one that sounds like *****.also i hve like no friends in it and im to shy to go up to people so i sit by myself
these kids have all been doing it toghther for years. In regular musicals I always get stuck in ensemble and I know I can do better than that. : and like if i want to get into a musical theater college program i have to be beating all the people at the local level out which im not doing</p>
<p>awww DG....i'm sorry to hear that! unfortunately a lot of times this happens in theater.....and honestly, the two of beating people at the local level and getting into top MT programs are not always related....I mean sometimes they are.....there are some people who are always the leads in local stuff and get into top MT schools.....but ya know what...i had a friend who ALWAYS had leads in high school and local stuff and got rejected left and right at MT schools....</p>
<p>"what does not kill me makes me stronger." it's a very good quote to live by.</p>
<p>but i hear ya. rejection can be a major pain. hang in there :-)</p>
<p>heres a story for you...</p>
<p>theres a big high school where i live...like 4000+ students...amazing arts programs there...well, i know two people who went there...one who got all the leads...and the other who was mainly a supporting guy or not in it at all...but guess what? the guy who got all the leads is now...sitting at home, doing community shows at places where he knows the directors...and the guy who got the supporting roles? hes having the time of his life in CAP 21...so it just goes to show you...leads dont always mean the greatest</p>
<p>Defying: I would just like to add 2 cents on the other point. There is a common element in this post and others of yours about being shy and nervous about making friends. Please push yourself a little on this. Most people are very happy to make new friends, particularly when you are all in new environments. Start small. Find one friend. It is clear from all your posts you are intelligent and interesting and likable. So push youself, even baby steps.</p>
<p>DG...</p>
<p>I was thinking what NYTheaterMom wrote too but had not posted back yet. I realize you say you have a shy personality and that many of the kids in the program are not new to the program but it is going to have to be you who initiates to start the friendships because they may have friends already and are not needing to reach out as much as you need to. Just start chatting with somebody about the number you are working on or something you have in common. In fact, you say several kids went to SDM, and since you did as well (perhaps different session), you can make references to that....like what show you did, which director you worked with, which classes you took, anything like that to get the ball rolling. </p>
<p>As far as not getting the solos like you wanted.....it is hard I realize but it is all part of this field. You can't get them all. But the goal need not be the solos per se. Think of it as a theater production and training experience and enjoy it for what it is....being part of this musical theater group and learning new things, an opportunity to perform (if you love to do that), a chance to make friends with kids who share you passion, and so forth. That's what you are there for, not the solos. It is not so much a competition but an experience. </p>
<p>Another thing is to perhaps use this chance to get to know the instructors and ask them sometime what you can do to improve...what do you need to work on. Use this as a learning opportunity. Even the very best performers always don't get the lead or the solo but they keep learning and trying to improve their craft for the next time. </p>
<p>I think it is understandable if some of the solos went to kids who had been going to Applause for a while. The faculty has worked with them before so they have more to base their decisions on than that day's solo audition. They've worked their way up to this point. Sometimes, you have to pay your dues. Sometimes brand new people break into something and get a lead or solo right away of course but the expectation on your end might be to show them your stuff, work hard to prove yourself and maybe next semester, you will be given more to do. Ask for help and coaching on how to get to that point. Be someone the director likes to work with. Someone who is focused and wants to learn and do a good job. Often, over time, things might start to happen. But when you are new in a group that is not all new, you have to expect that the other very talented kids might get picked first sometimes. At this point in time, you have to just be happy to even BE in the group. Perhaps an analogy here for you.....my sixteen year old who just started Tisch, auditioned for this very popular and selective coed a capella group (all contemporary/popular music, not showtunes) whom she heard perform at the opening reception for new Tisch students and thought they were amazing. She was dying to be in it. They only had a handful of openings for new people. She said hundreds tried out. She didn't think she could make it. It turned out that she was one of four new girls (and three boys) chosen and she was thrilled to be in it and LOVES the experience. In rehearsals, they audition for solos (chosen by peers though the majority are much older than herself). She was going to try but said, "I likely will never get one because the other kids are SO talented." So, she did not set herself up with expectations and was not disappointed when the first two solos went to others. She said, "I'm just so happy to even be IN the group." plus she knew she was a freshman and new and the majority are older and have been in it a while. Then on the next solo tryout for additional ones at the next rehearsal, she tried and was chosen for one. She was very happy even though it is not an entire song. She has made friends with the other kids in the group and loves them. She doesn't wait for them to come to her. They also are having a bonding night sleepover coming up as an entire group. Perhaps if you meet a girl you like in the program and since you live right in Manhattan and some of them do not, you could invite one back for a sleepover. You need to reach out that way. But on the other point, you need to perhaps lower the expectations for solos right off the bat and just enjoy this learning and performance opportunity and build on from that. Prove yourself and take it one step at a time.</p>
<p>Lastly, I don't know your talent of course. But do you take voice lessons? I realize it is expensive, particularly in NYC, but since your parents did let you do Applause......Applause is great as a group training and performance experience. But you would benefit from some invididual lessons in voice and some feedback from a voice teacher as to what you need to work on. You may even need to work with a vocal coach who can help you in your presentation of audition song. If you are shy or not confident (as you sometimes come across here when talking of this), it might come out that way in an audition. Self confidence in auditioning really helps. Acting a song helps. And of course, voice training helps. So, perhaps you can look into voice lessons and vocal coaching to keep honing those skills for next time. </p>
<p>Sorry for the disappointments. This field is full of them. Do what you can to improve skills and get critical feedback from those in the field who can help you. Get voice lessons. Ease your way into this new program and enjoy it for what it is without any expectations for solos just yet and work your way to those for next semester. Ask for feedback from those who teach in the program. Initiate friendships by chatting and perhaps plans to do something after the class is over one day. You have to take that lead as they may not if you are standing alone shy and/or cause they have some friends already. </p>
<p>Good luck.
Susan</p>
<p>DG, I guess I am on a roll here but let me add another thing for you to think about. A known saying in the theater world is "there are no small parts." And let me tell ya, I have seen many youth productions and adult productions and someone CAN stand out who is in the ensemble or who has a small part. If you are good on stage, you are noticed. At Stagedoor, I have noticed particular kids in ensemble many times who were just very good, lots of presence, for example. Sometimes I noticed that the kid got a bigger part the next time and I was not surprised. Directors and audience do take notice of someone who shines no matter the size of the part. </p>
<p>I recently viewed a DVD of OCU's summer high school music program's production of Footloose. I was telling someone familiar with the production how I noticed a girl with a very small part cause she stood out in her presence and acting, even though she was always in a group on stage. My own kid was in a professional adult production this summer that even included some Equity actors and some actors from NYC (but it was here in VT). There was a write up in a newspaper in our state of this production and it mentioned each lead but it also mentioned my daughter, the only non lead it mentioned, even saying that "although she had two small roles...." and mentions standing out and why she did. So, people do notice those who have VERY small parts sometimes. Her roles were small and she was also in ensemble. She was the youngest in it and was lucky to even be in the show and my sharing this is to say that even those in small parts CAN be noticed. SO>>>>>> use this opportunity to really show what you can do. You'll be noticed if you perform well no matter the part. A director will take notice as well. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>i'd like to second what soozievt said about how certain people in the ensemble stand out. About a year and a half ago I saw a regional production of "My Fair Lady" and there was this one female in the ensemble who totally stood out with her presence and personality. Now she's in a show with me and I totally remembered how much stage presence she had.....the people with the presence are remembered!</p>
<p>I know how you feel. I went through the same thing when I was at applause. I'm also currently crying myeyesout because I didn't get castin my school's fall drama. I'm always afraid that since I'm never at the top locally that I won't be able to beat people when it comesto real life and I want this and am more determined than anyone else I know. It's too lateto do anything else now so I'll probably just take more dance. At least I'm use to rejection. . .</p>
<p>babygiraffe Im soooooo sorry!I know how that feels. Last year my school did Grease. You ahd no idea how bad I wanted Sandy. I didn't get it and my school doesn't think oh well she didin't get sandy but she might be good for frenchie or something. They have you list what you wnat and if you dont get that part screw you. I did'nt get Sandy. I was against this girl who has been in Law and Order and the national tour of annie as kate so yeah. Shes not that good but she gets these roles becuase everyone thinks shes famous. You went to SDM at one point didn't you? Would you go back? I think I remember you went to I think it was OCU last summer. Did you like it?</p>
<p>I was supposed to go to SDM but I couldn't, I know a lot of people who go there. Yep, I went to OCU which was an amazing experience not nearly as other people but it was still worth it.</p>
<p>What do you mean not nearly as other people? Who do you know from sdm?</p>
<p>I just felt other people made much tighter bonds. Since the cast was so big there was a clique/cliques, and I'm not very good at approaching people but the training was amazing. You go to sdm right? which shows were you in?</p>
<p>Ya thats how I feel about Applause. Of course it kinda dosnt help being the only new person. I went to SDM last year for my first time third session. I was in Little Shop with David. I was ensemble. lol. Im going back 2nd and 3rd next year. You live in NYC right?</p>
<p>A tidbit for you DF...I just remembered now reading your post that you were in David M.'s production and I think I have told you that my D had him as a director twice years ago at camp. She just told me that he was in NYC this past week and they got together. I really like him as a director. I'm glad you got to work with him.</p>
<p>I live in westchester though I've been trying to move back to the city since I moved out in second grade. I feel like I knew someone who was in little shop but i just think it's because they did locally and audrey goes there. My friend was in godspell third, she one the award for best featured actress. I'm not sure who else I know was there third.</p>
<p><em>thinks</em> who stevie? Soozie is your neice going back? giraffe, your also on broadway world right? You responded to one of ym posts.</p>
<p>I went to a middle school where everything was PURE FAVORITISM. One girl who everyone believes is incredible because she's taken voice lessons since 3rd grade is actually not that good when you think about it. She just scoops a lot, has a lot of volume, and can make her voice like Janine LaManna's on the Seussical ST, which got her the part of Gertrude last year. I got called back for that part, but my music teacher made my director cast her because she wasn't "exactly sure" if my soprano voice had developed enough from when my voice had suddenly dropped a year earlier. In the end, I was cast as the soprano Bird Girl and this girl couldn't even hit most of the high notes herself (the same thing happened to her voice!).
I know it sounds self-absorbed, but I really believed I could've done that part well. I really don't want to sound cocky, but I moved on to a different high school this year and I'm the only freshman lead in the fall play.
I believe I'm going to perform professionally one day. I know other people who believe it as well, but in reality don't have what it takes. I may not be much of a dancer, but I know I can act ( once I'm off-book <em>blushes</em>) and I have over a three octave range with tons of volume. People have said I have a "stage prescence." My parents may not let me do anything outside of school, but I'm not going to stop performing just because I can't do anything big. I'm not going to let "favoritism" ruin my life. It used to bother me, but after something that happened last summer...I can take just about anything. ( long story) </p>
<p>Anyway...this has been pretty much pointless...but hang in there DG! You just need to the right place, energy, and motivation</p>
<p>OT, but baby giraffe, where in westchester do you live?</p>
<p>ps i live there too lol!</p>
<p>Mallory, short girl with crazy curly brown hair. Yep, I'm on broadwayworld too I havn't been on that much though since school started. I live in Ardsley, woohoo. . . .yeah right lol. You probably only heard of it if you're from southern weschester.</p>